Casey Stoner storms to superb win at Australian MotoGP

Casey Stoner has won the Australian MotoGP for the fourth year in succession at Phillip Island.

Stoner secured pole on his 25th birthday and led from start to finish with a flawless ride on his Ducati.

Delight: Casey Stoner celebrates victory in Australia

The Australian left newly-crowned MotoGP world champion Jorge Lorenzo trailing in his wake, storming 1.5 seconds clear after the opening lap.

He eventually finished 8.598secs ahead of Lorenzo, with Valentino Rossi snatching third on the last lap with a bold overtaking manoeuvre on Nicky Hayden.

'It's been an extremely hard weekend with the weather but everything has gone well for us,' Stoner said. 'Everybody was expecting the fourth win but I'm attacking this race like any other.

'We were able to control the gap at the front and bring home the win.'

Lorenzo admitted he quickly resigned himself to second place, adding on the BBC: 'It's really difficult to beat him here.

He's wheely good: Stoner stormed to victory at Phillip Island

'I tried my best but when I saw him go away a bit I thought it was better today to finish second.'

The race went ahead without Dani Pedrosa after the Repsol Honda rider conceded he had not sufficiently recovered from a fractured collarbone.

Pedrosa, who had missed the last two races and only qualified 15th at Phillip Island, said: 'After the operation in Spain my target was to come back in Australia.

'But having ridden in the three practice sessions here it's clear that it is really impossible for me to maintain a high pace because I lose strength in my arm lap by lap and controlling the bike gets increasingly difficult.

'I don't want to take more risks so that I can recover in time for Estoril.'